La Victoria
Mexican eatery’s founder and extensive menu are local favorites
By Amy Rogers | Photos by Shrimp & Grisettes
If you’re a fan of Mexican food in Charlotte, there’s a good chance the affable Victor Zavaleta has served you. For over 20 years, he’s worked as a waiter in multiple restaurants, where his gregariousness has earned him a faithful following.
Now, he’s heading up La Victoria Cocina Mexicana & Bar, and his fans have followed him there.
“He’s an icon,” says his nephew, Erick Gonzáles, who is one of the restaurant’s managers. “He does literally everything.” That can mean making drinks, offering menu suggestions and tempting guests with samples to entice ordering.
“I enjoy making people laugh and giving them a good time,” Zavaleta states.
It all started back in the town of Pololcingo, Mexico, where the La Victoria restaurant family hails from. Years ago, matriarch Petra Tonio opened a small eatery where she served local fare. “It’s what everyone in the family does,” Gonzáles explains.
Tonio has since retired, but her legacy continues today in North Carolina, where multiple family members now work at the busy restaurant that’s been open since 2019. The name is a tribute to the famed Mexican angel of independence. “It means ‘victory,’” Gonzáles says.
The menu at La Victoria is as expansive as the hospitality, with countless possibilities to customize. For starters, house-made guacamole is bright, creamy and expertly seasoned.
The La Victoria salad is a bountiful presentation of greens adorned with grilled shrimp, and it’s ideal for a light meal. There are plenty of heartier choices too. Especially with cooler weather on tap, fall is a great time to feast on a Tres Amigos platter. It’s a filling combination of shrimp, steak and chicken served with succulent side dishes. Speaking of side dishes, plenty of these are satisfying enough to stand on their own as entrées. Stuffed poblano peppers are a favorite, with a rich, warming flavor that’s not overly spicy.